Prospective Out-of-State Students

IMSA is a magical place where you’ll find other exceptional, STEM-loving students like yourself learning, living, and growing on our residential campus. As a 10th-12th grade high school, we have a wide array of courses to interest you, including over 50 math and science classes. Plus, we also offer many unique humanities courses that connect to STEM, such as History of Technology and Culture.

One of the most exciting aspects of IMSA is that our students come from all corners of the state and now the nation. That means you’ll discover who you are through the many friends and connections you’ll make with students from all backgrounds and places.

IMSA students stay on campus in our residence halls where living and learning meet. You’ll make new friends, encounter new ideas and have the opportunity to explore 75 clubs and organizations. With the help of our Resident Counselors, you’ll develop independence and responsibility in and out of the classroom. Plus, you’ll be in a safe, nurturing environment with a comprehensive safety and security program and a 24-hour security center.

In the classroom, IMSA’s academic program prepares students to become bold inquirers, problem solvers, and integrative thinkers. It challenges them to question, creatively probe, take risks, and test their ideas. Our faculty members, who are among the nation’s best, provide challenging opportunities for students to think critically and creatively, engage in exploration and discovery, and apply their knowledge to solve significant real-world problems. Other specialized learning options at IMSA give students additional opportunities to design a personalized learning plan based on their passions. Examples include Student Inquiry and Research (SIR), Total Applied Learning for Entrepreneurs (TALENT), Independent Study, international exchange programs, and leadership development programs.

• Clara Shih (2000) - bestselling author of The Facebook Era, co-founder of Hearsay Social, and member of Starbucks' Board of Directors
• Steve Chen (1996) - co-founder/Chief Technology Officer of YouTube, and an early engineer at PayPal
• Andrew Baptist (1994), Greg Dhuse (1999), Dusty Hendrickson (2001), and Ethan Wozniak (1999) - Four IMSA alumni are responsible for 212 of 350 patents generated by data storage leader Cleversafe.
• Yu Pan (1995) - one of the six co-creators of PayPal
• Jessica Droste Yagan (1995) - Founder and CEO of Impact Engine in Chicago which raised $10 million to invest in early-stage, for-profit technology businesses that improve economic empowerment, education, health, and resource efficiency. Impact Engine’s business accelerator program has graduated 23 companies that have gone on to raise $32.4 million in venture capital funding.
• Sam Yagan (1995) - Co-founder of OkCupid, SparkNotes, 1871-based startup accelerator Techstars Chicago, and venture investment fund Corazon Capital. Sam was on the Time 100, Crain’s Tech 50, and several other notable lists.
• Russell Simmons (1995) - an early employee of PayPal and co-founder of Yelp
• Steve Crutchfield – Chicago Trading Company. CBOE Advisory Board, Head of Options, ETPs, Bonds at NYSE Euronext. 2012 Crain’s Forty Under 40
• Dominic Armato (1993) - voice actor
• Dr. Scott Gaudi – (1991) Astronomer, who discovered over a dozen new planets and a new solar system
• Nathan Gettings – (1995)  Co-founder of Palantir. Founder of robotics company Robotex
• Robert McCool (1991) - software developer and architect who authored of the original NCSA HTTPd web server, later forked into the Apache HTTP Server
• Ramez Naam (1990) - software developer and author. He helped develop Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Outlook
• Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski (2010) - Generating buzz as the next Einstein by Inc. magazine and other publications, Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterki’s research on black holes and space-time has been cited by the likes of Stephen Hawking. Her work has been recognized by Marie Claire’s Young Women’s Honors and Forbes’ and Scientific American’s “30 under 30.”

With innovative learning methods, close access to teachers, and collaboration with partners outside of IMSA, you will find your passion in and out of the classroom to help you reach your true potential. Advanced course offerings in STEM and beyond allow you to challenge yourself while also pursuing your fields of interest.

At IMSA, you can spend one day a week exploring and developing your interests through research or internships:

1. Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) Program: You will conduct original investigations with other students and professional researchers, and share your innovative work at IMSAloquium, an annual public showcase.
2. IMSA Entrepreneurship Program: You’ll collaborate as project teams to use design-thinking and Lean Startup approaches to create inventive solutions to real-world problems facing our world.
3. Intersession: Once a year, you will have the opportunity to explore topics outside of the offered curriculum for one week between the first and second semesters. These topics include international travel, math and science, cultural studies, hobbies, fine arts, and more.

At IMSA, you’ll be part of a community of 652 diverse students passionate about learning. Located in suburban Aurora, IL, IMSA’s campus consists of seven residence halls spread across 97 acres. While living and learning on campus, you’ll make new friends, encounter new ideas, and learn to live independently. You will also have the opportunity to explore over 85 clubs, organizations, and IHSA-sponsored co-curricular and athletic programs.

Live and Grow

At IMSA, you will be immersed in a safe, nurturing environment. Professional Resident Counselors (RCs) live in each hall and will help you navigate your home away from home through the Residential Life Curriculum. Through this curriculum, you’ll build leadership skills and jump-start your social life while developing independence and responsibility in and out of the classroom. The residence halls are where all of the elements of IMSA fuse into one dynamic living and learning experience.

The following information must be submitted by each eligible applicant to be considered for admission. Highly qualified non-Illinois applicants will be held to the same academic standards and must submit the same requirements as Illinois resident applicants.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers a uniquely challenging and advanced education for students talented in mathematics and science. Although the Admissions Process is highly competitive, there are no minimum scores required to apply. Those students who present the strongest combination of academic achievement, passion for STEM, and the ability to thrive in a residential school are invited to attend.

In order to determine this, IMSA utilizes a holistic selection process that incorporates classroom performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and leadership history with more traditional indicators of talent such as test scores (SAT Test) and grades. Geographic and demographic variables are also considered to promote a diverse student population and enhance the learning of all students.

1. 1. Be a Resident of the United States and U.S. Territories, but not a resident of Illinois
   2. Have completed Algebra 1 and a high school equivalent science course: Applicants in eighth grade must submit documentation of having completed an academic program comparable to ninth-grade-level work in mathematics and science. This must include a minimum of one year of algebra and one year of high school-level science. Online algebra and science courses can be used to meet the algebra and science requirements.
   3. Not be enrolled beyond the 9th grade: Current tenth through twelfth-grade students are not eligible for admission.
   4. Have a completed application file: Including an online application form, official grade reports, teacher evaluations, counselor form, and official SAT scores
   5. Out-of-state students are subject to annual tuition, and room and board fees of $50,000-$55,000.

You can find more information about our Out-of-State Admissions Process in the official Out-of-State Admissions Policy for more information.

To begin the application process, access the admission application online by clicking here.

The IMSA application has no application fee. The application consists of the following:

• Demographic and School Information
• Two Essays
• List of STEM Activities and Achievements
• Parent Statement
• Three Teacher Evaluations from Current Teachers
• School Counselor Form
• Last 2.5 years of Official Grade Reports
• Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
• Provide financial evidence of the ability to pay tuition

The “Optional Statement” can be utilized to provide additional clarity on any part of the application or include information that you feel would be important for you or your child’s success at IMSA.

Applicants are required to submit two essays each 300-500 words answering the prompts provided in the application. Students will need to upload their essays to the application directly.

Students are required to independently compose their essays without the use of artificial intelligence. We highly recommend proofreading your essays for any grammar mistakes.

Students have the option of taking the SAT or ACT. All scores must be official and sent to Admission directly from the testing company. All test scores must be submitted before the application deadline. Any scores received after the deadline will not be accepted. It is important to note that the admissions department will not accept the SAT scores that fall after the deadline.

SAT

• Students can register for the SAT through CollegeBoard.org.
• Students should take the standard SAT, Math, and Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing sections without essay.
• When registering, please use IMSA’s SAT school code #3027 to ensure that we receive a copy of your test results.
• Please note, that we do not accept the PSAT.

ACT

• Students interested in taking the ACT can register through ACT.org.
• Students should take the standard ACT without writing.
• When registering, mark IMSA as your current school (code# 140177) to ensure that we receive a copy of your test results.

Applicants are required to submit 3 Teacher Evaluation Forms from the following subjects:

• Math Teacher
• Science Teacher
• English Teacher

Starting December 2, students can send the Counselor Form to the current counselor (or school administrator who oversees transcript requests). It's important to note that counselors will need to upload official transcripts from the last 2.5 years and instructions on how to send official transcripts are included on the evaluation form. As a reminder, IMSA cannot accept transcripts from students or their families, all transcripts must come from the school itself. If you have sent the request to your counselor and they have not received it, visit our Application Troubleshooting FAQ’s page for assistance.

Before February, connect with the Office of Admissions to ensure all your application materials have been received. You can contact the Office of Admissions by email at admissions@imsa.edu or by phone 630.907.5028.

Students should log into their student account to view their Admission Tracker checklist. You will see a list of materials needed. Materials received will have a green check mark by them. The admission staff is working to update all checklists, which are done manually, so we appreciate your patience.

Learn more about IMSA’s exceptional learning experiences,  residential program, and admissions process. All admission events are posted on our Visit IMSA page. Please be sure to register for our events as spaces do fill up quickly. Event registrations are opened the month prior to the event and close two days before the event date. Once the application has closed, students will not have an opportunity to visit campus until decisions have been made and students sign up for orientation. We highly recommend visiting IMSA before the application deadline.

To get notified of our events, sign up for our Admissions Newsletter! We send the newsletter out once a month starting in August through March.

2024-2025 Application Timeline for Class of 2028

September 23: Application Opens

September - February: Complete Application Materials

December 2: Teacher Evaluation and Counselor Forms Available

January: Follow Up with Admissions

February 3: Application Closes

March 3: Decisions Released

March 21: Student Responses Due

June: Attend Orientation (All Admitted and Waitpool students are required to attend Orientation. Exact dates will be released early spring semester. Please plan vacations accordingly).

To view the full list of enrollment dates and deadlines, click here.